A Tory MP had a really bizarre idea about the Ireland-UK relationship – the only 8 reactions you need to read
Unless you’ve been submarining through caves with Elon Musk for the last year, you should be aware that the Irish Border is one of the main sticking points of the Brexit negotiations. Many of the chief Brexiters insist that it won’t be a problem, whilst simultaneously not being able to explain exactly why.
During an interview with Northern Irish presenter, Stephen Nolan, MP for West Leicestershire and member of the Eurosceptic European Research Group, Andrew Bridgen, revealed an extraordinary belief about the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the UK.
LISTEN: How much do Tory MPs know about the Irish border issue? Prominent Brexiteer Andrew Bridgen reckons all English people are automatically entitled to Irish passports
FULL: https://t.co/Lw0vjwQdR4 pic.twitter.com/1WjGtbDeo5
— Stephen Nolan (@StephenNolan) October 15, 2018
People reacted with astonishment that someone with such a poor grasp of facts should be in a position to have a say on such a sensitive issue.
These 8 reactions sum up the situation.
1.
https://twitter.com/PeterKGeoghegan/status/1051785441626791937
2.
Do you laugh or cry? https://t.co/NnLgYgcKni
— Ciarán Lenehan (@CiaranLen) October 16, 2018
3.
https://t.co/yoRTh4atlZ
Nadine Dorries: "Yes but what *is* the customs union?"
Andrew Bridgen: "Hold my beer."— simon maginn (@simonmaginn) October 16, 2018
4.
I really thought I was being wound up when told that a @Conservatives MP had suggested on @bbc5live English people had an automatic right to an Irish passport so all would be fine and dandy after #Brexit. Then I put down the beer. Then I woke up. It's still true. #omnishambles https://t.co/TO1EHKDJ4m
— David Lunn (@DJLdistraction) October 16, 2018
5.
i've never been to ireland but i do quite like U2 so i think that means i'm now taoiseach?? https://t.co/wunjRd7ipj
— Alex Kealy (@alexkealy) October 16, 2018
6.
This ignorance would be laughable but for being typical of a Tory MP https://t.co/hgoH9T8o8H
— Liam Farrell (@drlfarrell) October 17, 2018
7.
It's a lot easier to think that Brexit is an easy matter when you're that ignorant. https://t.co/PHm1re8VF1
— alexandre afonso (@alexandreafonso) October 21, 2018
8.
And what ignorance! Astounding. How is someone of such limited intellectual capacity even allowed to be an MP? https://t.co/5qFo6hfuS2
— Richard Bentall #FBPE Woke and proud (@RichardBentall) October 15, 2018
One Twitter user made an excellent point.
I think if it was the case then there would be 15 odd million applications on the books at the moment.
— Brian Tibbels #FBPE (@Brian_Tibbels) October 15, 2018
Although not as serious as Andrew Bridgen’s weird misconception, this clip showed that ignorance of the island of Ireland is really not that rare on the UK mainland.
Listen to this from a quiz show the other day. 5 English people. 1 question about N.I. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/Hi1DZqiFOU
— Mickey Murphy (@e2d81f2403114a9) October 15, 2018
Back to the classroom, everyone.